Monitoring system with monitoring camera

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an imaging apparatus capable of monitoring a plurality of monitored sites in a switching manner by a single surveillance camera and an imaging system. Provided are: an imager for imaging an object scene image so as to produce imaging data; a cutout processor for cutting out one portion of the imaging data so as to create a plurality of cutout image data; and an outputter for sequentially outputting the plurality of cutout image data to the external apparatus at a predetermined output interval.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELAYED APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2008-235757 and2009-180959, which were filed on Sep. 12, 2008 and Aug. 3, 2009,respectively, are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imagingsystem. More particularly, the present invention relates to an imagingapparatus for selecting an arbitrary area from an image based on animage signal outputted from the imaging apparatus and outputting animage in the selected area to an external apparatus, and relates also toan imaging system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there is appreciatedly used a surveillance camera systemfor monitoring a plurality of monitored sites by using a plurality ofsurveillance cameras.

One example of this type of a surveillance camera system is configuredto use a plurality of surveillance cameras including a surveillancecamera having an orbiting function so as to select and display amonitored video about a plurality of monitored sites of the plurality ofsurveillance cameras. Specifically, there is disclosed a technologycapable of promptly displaying a desired monitored site or monitoredposition by displaying data about the monitored site or monitoredposition on a manipulation screen on which the monitored video isselected and displayed and allowing a user to select the desiredmonitored site or monitored position based on the data,

However, the surveillance camera of the conventional technology isdisadvantageous for the user due to the following points:

(1) In order to monitor a plurality of sites at one time, it isnecessary to provide a plurality of cameras and a video switchingapparatus;(2) When an image pickup element having a large total number of pixelsis adopted as the surveillance camera, it is certain that when animaging signal obtained by imaging a subject is displayed on a monitorcapable of displaying a high-resolution image, it is possible to view ahigh-resolution image. However, in order to display the image based onthe imaging signal, on a monitor not capable of displaying thehigh-resolution image, a scaler process for degrading a resolution isperformed. In the scaler process, an unnecessary process is performed onthe original imaging signal, and thus, an image quality of the imagebased on the processed imaging signal is lowered. Also, an image of anoverall angle of field is displayed on the monitor, it is thereforeprobable that a site intended to monitor cannot be monitored; and(3) Furthermore, when a surveillance camera mounted thereon with anoptical zoom is adopted so as to perform an optical zoom process, centerof a subject is enlarged as a point of center in the optical zoomprocess, and thus, it is probable for the user not to be able to view animage in which a desired location is enlarged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An imaging apparatus according to the present invention, comprises: animager for imaging an object scene image so as to produce imaging data;a cutout processor for cutting out one portion of the imaging data so asto create a plurality of cutout image data; and an outputter forsequentially outputting the plurality of cutout image data to anexternal apparatus at predetermined output intervals.

Preferably, there is further provided an assigner for assigning to eachof the plurality of cutout image data an order for outputting to theexternal apparatus, in which the outputter sequentially outputs theplurality of cutout image data to the external apparatus atpredetermined output intervals, based on the order assigned by theassigner.

Further preferably, there is further provided a setter for setting azoom factor to each of the plurality of cutout image data, in which thecutout processor cuts out one portion of the imaging data based on eachzoom factor set by the setter so as to create the plurality of cutoutimage data.

According to the present invention, an imaging system configured by: animaging apparatus for imaging an object scene image so as to produceimaging data and outputting the imaging data; an image processingapparatus for accepting the imaging data outputted from the imagingapparatus; and an external apparatus for displaying an image based onthe imaging data outputted from the imaging apparatus on a firstdisplayer, in which the image processing apparatus comprises: a displayprocessor for displaying an image based on the imaging data on a seconddisplayer; and an area designator for designating a plurality ofarbitrary areas from the image displayed by the second displayer, andthe imaging apparatus comprises: a cutout processor for creating aplurality of cutout image data by cutting out one portion of the imagingdata, based on the plurality of arbitrary areas designated by the areadesignator provided in the image processing apparatus; and an outputterfor sequentially outputting the plurality of cutout image data to thefirst displayer at predetermined output intervals.

Preferably, the imaging apparatus further comprises an assigner forassigning an order for outputting to the first displayer, to each of theplurality of cutout image data, and the outputter sequentially outputsthe plurality of cutout image data to the first displayer atpredetermined output intervals, based on the order assigned by theassigner.

Further preferably, there is further provided a setter for setting azoom factor to each of the plurality of cutout image data, in which thecutout processor cuts out one portion of the imaging data based on eachzoom factor set by the setter so as to create the plurality of cutoutimage data.

Preferably, the external apparatus is a monitor connected by a cable tothe imaging apparatus.

Preferably, the external apparatus is an information processingapparatus connected to the imaging apparatus via a network.

Preferably, the external apparatus is a monitor connected by a cable tothe imaging apparatus.

Preferably, the external apparatus is an information processingapparatus connected to the imaging apparatus via a network.

The above described features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description of theembodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection example among an imageprocessing apparatus, a surveillance camera, and a monitoring monitor,which is a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the surveillancecamera, which is the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the imageprocessing apparatus, which is the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing a setting screen of an intervaldisplay mode displayed on an LCD monitor 14 a, which is the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a transition diagram of an image display in the intervaldisplay mode displayed on the monitoring monitor, which is the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one portion of an operation of thesurveillance camera, which is the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a connection example among an imageprocessing apparatus, a surveillance camera, and a monitoring monitor,which is a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the surveillancecamera, which is the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the imageprocessing apparatus, which is the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing a setting screen of an intervaldisplay mode displayed on an LCD monitor 14 a, which is the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of an image display in the intervaldisplay mode displayed on a monitor provided in an informationprocessing apparatus, which is the second embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing one portion of an operation of thesurveillance camera, which is the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

A first embodiment will be described by using, as one example of animaging apparatus and an imaging processing system of the presentinvention, a mode of a surveillance camera system 2 configured by: asurveillance camera 10; an image processing apparatus 14 that isconnected via a LAN cable to the surveillance camera 10 and that isinputted an image signal outputted from the surveillance camera 10; anda monitoring monitor 12 connected via a composite cable to thesurveillance camera 10.

FIG. 1 shows a connection example of the surveillance camera 10, themonitoring monitor 12, and the image processing apparatus 14, of thefirst embodiment. The image processing apparatus 14 is connected via theLAN cable to the surveillance camera 10, and the monitoring monitor 12is connected via the composite cable to the surveillance camera 10. Theimage processing apparatus 14 is configured to include an LCD monitor 14a, a signal processing apparatus 14 b, and a pointing device 14 c.Compressed image data obtained by performing a signal process on animage signal that is produced by being imaged by the surveillance camera10 is inputted via the LAN cable in the signal processing apparatus 14b. Also, the image signal produced by the surveillance camera 10 isconverted to a video signal, which is inputted via the composite cablein the monitoring monitor 12.

In the monitoring monitor 12, monitoring by the user is done, and thecompressed image data inputted in the signal processing apparatus 14 bis set based on the compressed image data within the signal processingapparatus 14 b, for a recording process of the compressed image data andthe monitoring by the user in the monitoring monitor 12.

Next, by using FIG. 2 which is a block diagram of inside thesurveillance camera 10 shown in FIG. 1, the surveillance camera 10 willbe described in detail.

The surveillance camera 10 is configured to include: an imaging lens 16,a CMOS imager 18 a, an imaging processing portion 18 b, an SDRAM 20, aCPU22, a compression processing portion 24, a flash ROM 26, a D/Aconverting portion 27, a communication interface 28, a video encoder 29,a bus 23, and a video-signal output interface 31.

The imaging lens 16 forms an optical image of a subject on an imagingsurface of the CMOS imager 18 a, which is an imaging device. Herein, inthe first embodiment, the CMOS imager 18 a having a large total numberof pixels, for example, a CMOS imager having, as an effective imagearea, 2528×1788 (vertical×horizontal) pixels, is adopted.

Furthermore, the imaging lens 16, based on an output signal of the CMOSimager 18 a, is regulated in movement in an optical-axis direction by alens motor (not shown) controlled by the CPU 22. An analog imagingsignal outputted from the CMOS imager 18 a is inputted in the imagingprocessing portion 18 b, and the inputted analog imaging signal issubjected to various processes such as an A/D converting process, a CDSprocess, a signal amplifying process, and a clamping process. Theprocessed digital imaging signal is temporarily accommodated in an SDRAM20.

The digital imaging signal accommodated in the SDRAM 20 is inputted inthe imaging processing portion 18 b, and by the imaging processingportion 18 b, the resultant signal is subjected to various signalprocesses such as a color separating process, an AWB process, and a YUVconverting process. As a result, a Y signal that is a luminance signaland U and V signals that are color difference signals are produced, andthese signals are again accommodated in the SDRAM 20 as digital imagedata Herein, the digital imaging signal based on output of the CMOSimager 18 a is thinned out when undergoing the color separating process,the YUV converting process, etc., and thus, a size of the digital imagedata accommodated again in the SDRAM 20 becomes smaller. The imaginglens 16, the imaging processing portion 18 b, the SDRAM 20, thecompression processing portion 24, the D/A converting portion 27, andthe communication interface 28 are controlled via the bus 23 by the CPU22.

The CPU 22 uses the communication interface 28 so as to accommodateinstructing/setting data outputted from the image processing apparatus14 in an SDRAM 20 or a register (not shown) within the CPU 22. Forexample, when an imaging start instruction is outputted from the imageprocessing apparatus 14, for example, the CPU 22 executes an imagingprocess. Moreover, the instructing/setting data may be pan/tilt controldata for controlling a motor for panning/tilting a lens unit (not shown)including the imaging lens 16 of the surveillance camera 10.

Next, with respect to the imaging process of the surveillance camera 10of the first embodiment, control of the CPU 22 will be mainly described.When accepting the imaging start instruction from the image processingapparatus 14, the CPU 22 repeatedly produces the Y, U, and V signalsaccording to a predetermined frame rate by controlling the imaging lens16, the CMOS imager 18 a, the imaging processing portion 18 b, and theSDRAM 20. Herein, the predetermined frame rate is an arbitrary framerate set to the register (not shown) of the CPU 22 before thesurveillance camera 10 starts imaging or after starting imaging.

The Y, U, and V signals are again accommodated in the SDRAM 20 via thebus 23, and are repeatedly inputted in the compression processingportion 24. Then, the compression processing portion 24 performs acompressing process on the Y, U, and V signals according to an H264system or a JPEG system as a compressing process, and image compressiondata produced by the compressing process is again accommodated via thebus 23 in the SDRAM 20.

Subsequently, the image compression data accommodated in the SDRAM 20 isoutputted from the communication interface 28 to the image processingapparatus 14.

Now, the surveillance camera 10 is provided with an interval displaymode in which an image (video signal) is outputted at a predeterminedupdating interval (interval) to the monitoring monitor 12 so that theimage is displayed thereon. The interval display mode is arranged inorder to monitor a plurality of monitored sites in a switching mannerwith the single surveillance camera 10. As described above, as a resultof being thinned out in the color separating process, etc., based on theoutput of the CMOS imager 18 a, the digital image data accommodated inthe SDRAM 20 is configured by a size of which one frame is 1920×1080(vertical×horizontal) pixels (aspect ratio of 16:9), for example.However, in terms of an image size displayed on the monitoring monitor12, an image having an SD size of 720×480 (vertical×horizontal) pixels(aspect ratio of 4:3) may suffice. The size is so determined due to thefact, conversely speaking, that it is probable that an image quality isdegraded when a scaling process is performed on a high-resolution imagein order to lower the resolution.

In the interval display mode, firstly, the digital image data based onthe output of the CMOS imager 18 a is accommodated in the SDRAM 20.Herein, as described above, one frame of the digital image data isconfigured by a Full-HD size having 1920×1080 (vertical×horizontal)pixels (aspect ratio of 16:9), the image displayed on the monitoringmonitor 12, however, is an image of an SD size having 720×480(vertical×horizontal) pixels (aspect ratio of 4:3).

The digital image data accommodated in the SDRAM 20 is executed in animage processing apparatus 14 (this is described later). In order tocorrespond to an SD-sized arbitrary area—set in a display settingprocess for performing a setting of the interval display mode—that theusesr intends to monitor by giving a special attention, the CPU 22performs a cutout process. Specifically, setting data including aplurality of arbitrary areas, an arbitrary interval speed, and a displayorder, set in the image processing apparatus 14 is inputted from theimage processing apparatus 14 in the surveillance camera 10 via thecommunication interface 28.

The CPU 22 accommodates the setting data in the SDRAM 20, and alsoaccommodates the same in the flash ROM 26. This accommodating process ofthe setting data in the flash ROM 26 is a process performed for thepurposes of data back up in the event where an electric power supply tothe surveillance camera 10 is cut off due to a power failure, etc., andthus, the setting data accommodated in the register within the CPU 22 iserased.

The CPU 22 recognizes the plurality of arbitrary areas, the arbitraryinterval speed, and the display order based on the setting dataaccommodated in the SDRAM 20, performs the cutout process on the FullHD-sized digital image data accommodated in the SDRAM 20 so as to changeto the SD-sized image data. The resultant data is converted to an analogvideo signal in the D/A converting portion 27, and outputted to thevideo encoder 29. In the video encoder 29, the outputted data isconverted to a video signal of an NTSC system, and outputted to themonitoring monitor 12 via a video-signal output interface 31.

Next, by using FIG. 3 which is a block diagram of inside the imageprocessing apparatus 14 shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus14 will be described in detail. As described previously, the imageprocessing apparatus 14 is configured by the LCD monitor 14 a, thesignal processing apparatus 14 b, and the pointing device 14 c.

The signal processing apparatus 14 b is configured by: a communicationinterface 30, a CPU 32, a decompression processing portion 34, an SDRAM36, an LCD monitor driver 42, a hard disk driver 44, a hard disk 46, apointing device driver 48, and a bus 50.

The CPU 32 controls the communication interface 30, the decompressionprocessing portion 34, the SDRAM 36, the LCD monitor driver 42, and thehard disk driver 44, via the bus 50. Furthermore, the CPU 32 isconnected also to the pointing device driver 48. When the pointingdevice 14 c is manipulated, position information, outputted from thepointing device 14 c, of a cursor on the LCD monitor 14 a is inputted inthe CPU 32 via the pointing device driver 48.

Moreover, the LCD monitor driver 42 is connected to the LCD monitor 14a, and decompressed image data is displayed, as an image, on the LCDmonitor 14 a. The hard disk driver 44 is connected to the hard disk 46,and the compressed image data compressed by an H264 system or a JPEGsystem is recorded in the hard disk 46.

Next, a process performed in the image processing apparatus 14 of thecompressed image data outputted from the surveillance camera 10 will bedescribed. The image processing apparatus 14 in the first embodimentexecutes the recording process for recording the compressed image datain the hard disk 46 and the display setting process for performingsetting of the interval display mode in which the SD-sized imageobtained by performing the cutout process on the Full HD-sized image isdisplayed on the monitoring monitor 12 at the predetermined updatinginterval (interval).

The display setting process of the interval display mode in thesurveillance camera 10 will be described with reference to a displaysetting screen shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6.

Firstly, the recording process will be described. The compressed imagedata (from the surveillance camera 10) compressed by the H264 system isinputted via the LAN cable in the communication interface 30, and istemporarily inputted in the SDRAM 36 via the bus 50. Then, the CPU 32controls the SDRAM 36 and the hard disk driver 44 so as to record thecompressed image data in the hard disk 46.

Next, the display setting process for performing setting of the intervaldisplay mode will be described by using FIG. 4. In this display settingprocess, mainly, a plurality of arbitrary areas that the user intends tomonitor by giving a special attention are set, and an arbitrary intervalspeed is set.

FIG. 4 shows a setting screen for performing setting of the intervaldisplay mode. As shown in FIG. 4, on the left side of the settingscreen, three marks—three buttons in the first embodiment—are displayedin a mark area Y in a superimposed manner. The three buttons aredisplayed by the CPU 32 in a manner to be superimposed in the mark areaY based on a program accommodated in a flash memory not shown.Specifically, the three buttons are “option”, “cutout area setting”, and“help” buttons. Then, in order that the buttons are selected by themanipulation from the pointing device 14 c, a graphical user interface(GUI) function is mounted in the image processing apparatus 14 in thefirst embodiment.

On an upper right side of the setting screen, an image based on thecompression image signal, which is a JPEG image compressed by a JPEGsystem, is displayed in a cutout setting area Z. On a lower right sideof the setting screen, setting items and setting values are displayed byusing marks in a setting modifying area U. Then, selecting/setting basedon this setting screen also adopts the GUI function, and thus, when thepointing device 14 c is manipulated, it becomes possible to perform theselecting/setting.

In the cutout setting area Z, a thinning-out process is so performedthat an image of compressed image data having an aspect ratio of 16:9and having 1920×1080 (horizontal×vertical) pixels is changed to an imageof the same aspect ratio of 16:9, and the resultant image is displayed.Also, on the setting modifying area U, a cursor corresponding to amotion of the pointing device 14 c is displayed. The pointing device 14c, which is like a mouse, for example, moves its main body in ahorizontal direction or a vertical direction, senses the movement byusing a sensor that utilizing a ball, infrared, a laser, etc., andoutputs 2-dimensional moving distance information to the CPU 32, or whena left-click manipulation is performed, the pointing device 14 c outputsleft click information to the CPU 32. Based on the moving distanceinformation, the CPU 32 displays the movement of the cursor on thecutout setting area Z, or recognizes the selecting/setting based on theleft-click information.

Next, a method of setting an arbitrary area in the cutout setting area Zwill be described. When the left-click manipulation is performed on thepointing device 14 c by the user, a rectangular framework correspondingto the SD-sized area is displayed in the cutout setting area Z. Then,when the user manipulates the pointing device 14 c in the horizontal andvertical directions, the cursor is moved within the framework, and whenthe left-click manipulation is performed at a point at which the cursoris moved within the framework and the pointing device 14 c ismanipulated in the horizontal and vertical directions while continuingthe left-click manipulation by the user, the framework is moved on thecutout setting area Z. When the left-click manipulation is canceled at auser's arbitrary position, the movement of the framework is interrupted.When the left-click manipulation by the pointing device 14 c isperformed by the user on a mark, i.e., a set button S in the firstembodiment, displayed below the setting modifying area U, the arbitraryarea is finalized, and the finalized arbitrary area is set as the cutoutarea.

Specifically, the CPU 32 calculates a position address based on acoordinate (V1, W1) (at an upper left corner of the framework forming arectangle) of an image having an aspect ratio of 16:9 currentlydisplayed in the cutout setting area Z, and records the calculatedposition address as the cutting-out area in the SDRAM 36 and alsorecords a corresponding number “1” in association with the cutout area.At this time, the CPU 32 displays a framework corresponding to the setcutout area on the cutout setting area Z, and the number “1” at theupper left within the framework. This framework and number correspond toa “cutout area 1” in a setting item column in the setting modifying areaU. Also, in order to allow the user to view easily, it is so displayedthat a color of the framework corresponding to “cutout area 1” isrendered blue, a color of the framework corresponding to “cutout area 2”is rendered pink, and a color of the framework corresponding to “cutoutarea 3” is rendered green.

By using a manipulation similar to that described above, the user isable to set the “cutout area 2” and the “cutout area 3”.

Then, it is assumed that as shown in FIG. 4, the “cutout area 1”, the“cutout area 2”, and the “cutout area 3” are currently set. Herein,“DELETE” in the setting value corresponding to the “cutout area 1” inthe setting item column is also displayed by a button or mark. The“DELETE” button changes in color depending on a setting state. Asdescribed above, when the cutout area is set by the user, the “DELETE”button is modified. Specifically, the color of a button before being setis displayed in a color that is not prominent relative to a backgroundcolor, for example, grey. Then, when the setting is performed, the colorof a button is modified to a color that is prominent relative to thebackground color, for example, white. Herein, the “cutout area 4” is notset. Thus, the “DELETE” button in the setting value corresponding to the“cutout area 4” or setting item is expressed in grey.

To be specifically described by using FIG. 4, the “cutout area 1”, the“cutout area 2”, and the “cutout area 3” are set, and for the sake ofillustration, the “DELETE” buttons corresponding to the respective areasare expressed in a manner to be surrounded by a solid line. However, inreality, characters of this button, i.e., “DELETE”, are expressed inblack, and portions other than the characters surrounded by the solidline are expressed in white.

Moreover, in FIG. 4, for the sake of illustration, the “DELETE” buttoncorresponding to the “cutout area 4” is expressed in a manner to besurrounded by a dotted line. However, in reality, characters of thisbutton, i.e., “DELETE”, are expressed in black, and portions other thanthe characters surrounded by the dotted line are expressed in grey. TheCPU 32 also records color information about each of the “DELETE”buttons, in the SDRAM 36.

In the setting modifying area U, there are displayed “image updatinginterval” as a setting item, and a pull-down button (which is a mark) asa setting value corresponding to that setting item. Herein, the “imageupdating interval” is an interval speed in the above-described intervaldisplay mode. The user performs the left-click manipulation on “▴” inthe pull down button by using the pointing device 14 c, and when theuser performs the left-click manipulation on a desired interval speedfrom among a plurality of interval speeds such as “3 seconds”, “5seconds”, “1 minute”, and “3 minutes”, each of which is displayed in avertical direction, the interval speed is selected.

Then, when the user performs the left-click manipulation on a set buttonS, the interval speed is set. In FIG. 4, “5 seconds” is set as theinterval speed.

Moreover, in the setting item column within the setting modifying areaU, check boxes P are arranged, to the left of and adjacent to, characterstrings of “cutout area 1” to “cutout area 4”, which are the settingitems. When the user performs the left-click manipulation on each checkbox P by using the pointing device 14 c, the check marks are entered. Asa result of such a manipulation being performed, the cutout area inwhich the check mark is entered is set as a cutout area to be displayedin the interval display mode.

On the setting screen in the interval display mode, when the pointingdevice 14 c is manipulated by the user, the setting data relating to theset cutout area, the interval speed, the number, etc., are outputted tothe surveillance camera 10. The CPU 22 of the surveillance camera 10performs an interval display process in the interval display mode basedon the setting data inputted from the image processing apparatus 14.

The interval display process will be described with reference to FIGS.5( a) to 5(c). FIGS. 5( a) to 5(c) show diagrams in which the imagescorresponding to the set cutout areas 1 to 3 are displayed on themonitoring monitor 12 in setting the above-described interval displaymode.

Firstly, an image A corresponding to the cutout area 1 shown in FIG. 5(a) is displayed. After five seconds, an image B corresponding to thecutout area 2 shown in FIG. 5( b) is displayed. After another fiveseconds, an image C corresponding to the cutout area 3 shown in FIG. 5(c) is displayed. Then, after yet another five seconds, the image Acorresponding to the cutout area 1 shown in FIG. 5( a) is displayed.Thereafter, the images A, B, and C are repeatedly displayed in order atthe interval speed of five seconds. An order of displaying the imagescorresponding to the cutout areas in the first embodiment is as follows:the images are repeatedly displayed in order from a smaller numericalnumber within each framework displayed in the cutout setting area Z(1→2→3→1→ . . . ).

Next, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 6, a procedure of the CPU22, applied to the surveillance camera 10 in the first embodiment, inthe interval display process of the interval display mode will bedescribed. The CPU 22 executes the following procedure, based on theprogram accommodated in the flash memory not shown.

The CPU 22 is provided with a timer and a counter L not shown. The timercounts a predetermined time period, and times-up when the predeterminedtime period arrives. When the interval display mode is set, the intervaldisplay process is started. At this time, it is determined in a step S1whether or not the cutout area is set. When NO is determined in the stepS1, the interval display process is ended, and when Yes is determined,the process advances to a step S2. In the step 2, the interval speed isset to the timer, i.e., a time-up time period is set. In theabove-described first embodiment, five seconds is set as the intervalspeed, and thus, when a time-up value of five seconds is set to thetimer, the timer times-up after an elapse of five seconds from a start.Then, the process advances to a step S3.

In the step S3, a value of the counter L is set to 1. The value of thecounter L is equivalent to a cutout area number. Next, the processadvances to a step S5 in which it is determined whether or not thecutout area of which the number corresponds to the value of the counterL is set as the cutout area displayed in the interval display mode. Inthis step, that is, it is determined whether or not the check mark isset to the check box P of the cutout area of which the numbercorresponds to the value of the counter L.

When NO is determined in the step S5, the process advances to a step S13so as to increment the value of the counter L by one (L=L+1). Next, theprocess advances to a step S15 so as to determine whether or not acurrent value of the counter L is larger than a maximum numeral set.Herein, in the first embodiment, the numeral set as the cutout areaframework number is “3”, and it is therefore determined whether or not Lis larger than 3. When YES is determined in the step S15, the processreturns to the step S3, and when NO is determined, the process returnsto the step S5.

Moreover, when YES is determined in the step S5, an area to be cut outis set to a cutout area L, and the timer is reset and started (in a stepS7). Then, the process advances to a step S9 so as to perform a cutoutprocess for cutting out from the digital image data accommodated in theSDRAM 20, based on the cutout area corresponding to the value of thecounter L. Then, the process furthermore performs a D/A convertingprocess and a video-signal converting process, on the digital image dataon which the cutout process is performed, so as to output the cutoutimage (video signal) to the monitoring monitor 12.

Next, the process advances to a step S11 so as to determine whether ornot the timer is timed up. In the first embodiment, it is determinedwhether or not five seconds has been elapsed from the start of thetimer. When NO is determined in the step S11, the process returns to thestep S9, and when YES is determined, the process advances to the stepS13.

In the above-described procedure, when the setting data is inputted fromthe image processing apparatus 14 to the surveillance camera 10, the CPU22 accommodates the setting data in the SDRAM 22 and also performs aninterrupting process for accommodating the setting data in the flash ROM26. Thereafter, the procedure is reset, and the process returns to thestep S1.

In this way, in the first embodiment, it is possible to output in ordera plurality of cutout areas set by the user to the monitoring monitor12, at the interval speed set by the user, and thus, it becomes possibleto monitor a plurality of areas by the single surveillance camera 10.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described by using, as another example ofthe imaging apparatus and the imaging processing system of the presentinvention, a mode of a surveillance camera system 102 configured by: asurveillance camera 110; an image processing apparatus 14, connected viaa LAN cable to the surveillance camera 110, for inputting an imagesignal outputted from the surveillance camera 110; and an informationprocessing apparatus 120 including a monitor connected via a network tothe surveillance camera 110, as shown in FIG. 7.

The second embodiment is characterized by being configured as follows:firstly, a point in which the cutout process is performed on the setcutout area based on an arbitrary zoom factor is added to the cutoutprocess of the interval display mode shown in the first embodiment.Secondly, instead of the process, shown in the first embodiment, inwhich the image data on which the cutout process is performed isoutputted to the monitoring monitor 12, a zoom process (the cutoutprocess and the zoom process herein are combined and these are referredto as a cutout zoom process) is performed on the image data on which thecutout process is performed based on the zoom factor so that the SD sizeis achieved when being displayed, and in this state, a compressingprocess is performed, and the compressed image data is outputted to theinformation processing apparatus 120 via a network. Hereinafter, thesurveillance camera system 102 of the second embodiment will bedescribed in detail. However, there are a plurality of points common tothose of the first embodiment, and thus, the common points will not bedescribed. Also, regarding FIG. 7 to FIG. 10, it is regarded that blocksto which the same numerals as those in the first embodiment are allottedhave common roles/functions/operations, etc., and thus, its descriptionwill be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the surveillance camera 110. Thesurveillance camera 110 differs from the surveillance camera 10 in thefirst embodiment in that an electronic zoom processing portion 140 and anetwork interface 150 are arranged whereas the D/A converting portion27, the video encoder 29, and the video-signal output interface 31 inthe first embodiment are deleted.

In terms of operation, the second embodiment differs from the firstembodiment in that when performing the cutout process by the CPU 22, thecutout area that has been set is modified depending on the zoom factorset in the image processing apparatus 14, and the electronic zoomprocessing portion 140 is controlled to perform an electronic zoomprocess on the modified cutout area so that the SD-sized image data isobtained. The image data which is obtained by performing the electroniczoom process and on which the cutout zoom process has been performed issubjected to a compressing process according to an H264 system in thecompression processing portion 24, an MPEG system, or a JPEG system, andthe zoom-image compressed data produced by the compressing process isaccommodated again in the SDRAM 20 via the bus 23. The zoom-imagecompressed data accommodated in the SDRAM 20 is inputted to the networkinterface 150, and outputted to the information processing apparatus 120via the network.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus 14 b. Thesecond embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that adevice for transmitting and receiving the data in the communicationinterface 30 is the surveillance camera 110. However, the function, theoperation, etc., are similar to those in the first embodiment. Thus, thedescription therefor will be omitted.

Next, the display setting process for setting the interval display modein the second embodiment will be described by using FIG. 10. The displaysetting process in the second embodiment is substantially similar to thedisplay setting process in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. However, adifference is that in the setting modifying area U, a pull-down buttonor mark is arranged, adjacently to “DELETE”, as the setting valuecorresponding to “cutout area o” such as “cutout area 1”. The userperforms the left-click manipulation on “▴” in the pull down button byusing the pointing device 14 c. Then, when the left-click manipulationis performed on the zoom factor desired by the user, out of a pluralityof zoom factors such as “0.5 times”, “1 time”, “1.5 times”, “2 times”,and “3 times”, each of which is displayed in a vertical direction, thezoom factor is selected.

Similarly to the first embodiment, when the pointing device 14 c ismanipulated by the user, the setting data relating to the set cutoutarea, the interval speed, the zoom factor, the number, etc., areoutputted to the surveillance camera 110. The CPU 22 of the surveillancecamera 110 performs the interval display process in the interval displaymode based on the setting data inputted from the image processingapparatus 14.

The interval display process in the second embodiment is substantiallysimilar to the operation shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.However, instead of the cutout process in the first embodiment, thecutout zoom process in which the cut out and the zoom process areperformed according to the set zoom factor is executed in the secondembodiment.

The cutout zoom process will be described with reference to FIGS. 11( a)and 11(b). FIG. 11( a) expresses an image A corresponding to the setcutout area 1. Herein, when the pointing device 14 c is manipulated, thezoom factor is modified. Then, the cutout zoom process is executed. Inthis case, as shown in FIG. 10, the cutout zoom process will bedescribed in detail by using an example in which the zoom factor of “2times” is set to the “cutout area 1”.

The CPU 22 firstly calculates a center point C of the image Acorresponding to the set cutout area 1. Based on the calculated centerpoint C, the set zoom factor (2 times) is applied so as to newly set acutout area that should be cut out. Then, the electronic-zoom processingportion 140 is controlled to perform the electronic zoom process forelectronically enlarging the newly set cutout area in order to obtainthe SD-sized image. FIG. 11( b) shows an image A′ on which theelectronic zoom process is performed.

Therefore, in the interval display process in the second embodiment, theimage that has complied with the zoom factor set to each of the setcutout areas is subjected to a predetermined process such as acompressing process at the set interval speed and in set sequence, andin this state, the resultant image is outputted to the informationprocessing apparatus 120.

Next, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 12, a procedure of the CPU22 in the interval display process in the interval display mode appliedto the surveillance camera 110 in the second embodiment will bedescribed. The CPU 22 executes the following procedure, based on theprogram accommodated in the flash memory not shown.

Processes from a step S21 to a step S27 are similar to the step S1 tothe step S5, which is the procedure of the CPU 22 in the intervaldisplay process in the interval display mode applied to the surveillancecamera 10 in the first embodiment, and thus, its description will beomitted.

When YES is determined in a step S27, the process advances to a step S29to reset and start the timer. Then, the process advances to a step S31,and based on the cutout area and zoom factor corresponding to the valueof the counter L, the cutout process for cutting out from the digitalimage data accommodated in the SDRAM 20 is performed, and theelectronic-zoom processing portion 140 is controlled to perform theelectronic zoom process (cutout zoom process) so as to obtain theSD-sized image. Thereafter, the process advances to a step S33 in whichthe compression processing portion 24 is controlled to perform thecompressing process on the image data on which the cutout zoom processis performed, and the resultant image data is outputted to theinformation processing apparatus 120.

Then, the process advances to a step S35 so as to determine whether ornot the timer is timed up. When NO is determined in the step S35, theprocess returns to the step S31, and when YES is determined, the processadvances to a step S37.

Processes from the step S37 to a step S39 are similar to the step S13 tothe step S15, which is the procedure of the CPU 22 in the firstembodiment, and thus, its description will be omitted.

In this way, in the second embodiment, it is possible to output in ordera plurality of cutout areas set by the user to the informationprocessing apparatus 120, at the interval speed and the zoom factor setby the user, and thus, it becomes possible to monitor in a greaterdetail a plurality of areas by the single surveillance camera 110. Atthis time, the zoom process according to the zoom factor is theelectronic zoom process, and different from an optical zoom process forperforming a zoom process by mainly concentrating on an optical image ofa subject, it is possible to zoom the cutout area set by the user, andthus, it is possible for the user to monitor an enlarged/reduced imageof a desired cutout area.

It is noted that the image processing apparatus 14 in the secondembodiment is configured by the LCD monitor 14 a, the signal processingapparatus 14 b, and the pointing device 14 c. However, the signalprocessing apparatus 14 b may be a so-called personal computer. In thiscase, the program for executing various types of setting screen displaysin this embodiment is accommodated in a recording medium, and when theprogram is installed by the user, the personal computer executes variousprocesses. The decompressing process in the decompression processingportion 34 is executed by the CPU 32.

Also, the surveillance camera system 2 or 102 in the first or secondembodiment is configured by the surveillance camera 10 or 110, the imageprocessing apparatus 14, and the monitoring monitor 12 or theinformation processing apparatus 120, and the image corresponding to thecutout area is outputted to the monitoring monitor 12 or the informationprocessing apparatus 120. However, the image corresponding to the cutoutarea may be displayed on the LCD monitor 14 a of the image processingapparatus 14 without connecting the monitoring monitor 12 or theinformation processing apparatus 120. In that case, the CPU 32decompresses the compressed image data outputted from the surveillancecamera 10 or 110, in the decompression processing portion 34,accommodates the decompressed digital image data in the SDRAM 36, cutsout the image corresponding to the cutout area that should be outputted,and accommodates the resultant image again in the SDRAM 36. Then, thedigital image data is outputted to the LCD monitor driver 42 so as todisplay the image on the LCD monitor 14 a.

Moreover, in the surveillance camera 10 in the first embodiment, theorder of outputting the images corresponding to the set cutout area 1,cutout area 2, and cutout area 3 to the monitoring monitor 12 or theinformation processing apparatus 120 is the order of outputting theimage corresponding to the area as follows: the cutout area 1→the cutoutarea 2→the cutout area 3→the cutout area 1, . . . . However, this ordermay be modified by the manipulation of the user. It may be also possibleto so set that the image corresponding to the cutout area 2 is notoutputted. In that case, the images corresponding to the area may beoutputted in the order of the cutout area 1→the cutout area 3→the cutoutarea 1, . . . .

Furthermore, in the surveillance camera 10 or 110 in the first or secondembodiment, the CPU 22 controls the imaging processing portion 18 b, thecompression processing portion 24, and the D/A converting portion 27 toexecute each process in the respective blocks. However, these may beconfigured by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). In thiscase, each process is executed as a result of the CPU 22 being setting apredetermined value to a register not shown.

In the first or second embodiment, the size of one frame of digitalimaging data, which is a cutout source of each cutout area is configuredby the size of 1920×1080 (vertical×horizontal) pixels (aspect ratio of16:9). However, the size may be 1600×1200 pixels (aspect ratio of 4:3).

In the surveillance camera system 102 in the second embodiment, thesetting values within the setting modifying area U of which the zoomfactors are displayed on the monitor of the image processing apparatus14 are modified/set as a result of the user being selecting from thepull-down button. However, the following may also be possible: thepointing device 14 c is manipulated to set the cursor within arectangular framework corresponding to the cutout area displayed in thecutout setting area Z, and in this state, a left double-click isperformed to increase the zoom factor and a right double-click isperformed to decrease the zoom factor.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1-10. (canceled)
 11. A monitoring system with amonitoring camera, comprising: an imager which repeatedly outputs imagedata representing a scene captured on an imaging surface; a storageelement which stores a size and a position of each of a plurality ofdifferent cutout areas of the imaging surface; and an outputter whichoutputs a plurality of sets of display images, each set of the pluralityof sets of display images representing a scene corresponding to a singlecutout area stored in the storage element; wherein, the outputteroutputs to a monitor device the sets of display images, corresponding tothe cutout areas, in continual repetitive sequential order at apredetermined time interval.
 12. A monitoring apparatus with amonitoring camera according to claim 11, further comprising a designatorwhich designates one of the plurality of cutout areas stored in thestorage element, wherein the outputter outputs to the monitor device afirst set of display images, corresponding to a first cutout areadesignated by the designator.
 13. A monitoring system with a monitoringcamera according to claim 12, further comprising a creator which createsdisplay image data representing a scene belonging to each of theplurality of the cutout areas designated by the designator, based on theimage data outputted from the imager, wherein a resolution of the imagedata outputted from the imager is higher than the resolution of themonitor device, and a resolution of the display image data created bythe creator is substantially equivalent to the resolution of the monitordevice.
 14. A monitoring system with a monitoring camera according toclaim 12, further comprising an activator which activates the designatorafter a predetermined updating period has elapsed, wherein, when thedesignator is activated a second cutout area is designated by thedesignator and the outputter outputs to the monitor device a second setof display images.
 15. A monitoring system with a monitoring cameraaccording to claim 12, further comprising a creator which createsdisplay image data representing a scene belonging to each of theplurality of the cutout areas designated by the designator, based on theimage data outputted from the imager, wherein a zoom magnification foreach of the plurality of cutout areas is stored in the storage element,and the creator includes a zoom processor which performs a zoom processfor each of the set of the plurality of sets of display images inaccordance with the zoom magnification stored in the storage.
 16. Amonitoring system with a monitoring camera according to claim 15,wherein each of the zoom magnifications for each of the plurality ofcutout areas is determined in accordance with input received from auser.
 17. A monitoring system with a monitoring camera according toclaim 11, further comprising an area designator which designates each ofthe plurality of the cutout areas in accordance with input received froma user.
 18. A monitoring system with a monitoring camera according toclaim 11, wherein the monitoring camera comprises the imager, thestorage element and the outputter.
 19. A monitoring system with amonitoring camera according to claim 11, further comprising an imageprocessing apparatus having the storage element and the outputter,wherein the image processing apparatus receives the image datatransmitted from the monitoring camera having the imager.
 20. Amonitoring system with a monitoring camera according to claim 11,wherein each of the plurality of cutout areas is assigned an uniqueidentification number; and wherein the outputter outputs to a monitordevice the sets of display images, corresponding to the cutout areas, incontinual repetitive sequential order of the identification numbersassigned to the cutout areas at a predetermined time interval.
 21. Amonitoring system with a monitoring camera according to claim 11,wherein the outputter outputs the sets of display images at apredetermined time interval by using a timer.
 22. A monitoring systemwith a monitoring camera according to claim 11, wherein thepredetermined time interval is preset in accordance with input receivedfrom a user.
 23. A monitoring method with a monitoring camera,comprising: outputting repeatedly image data representing a scenecaptured on an imaging surface; storing, in a storage element, size andposition data of each of a plurality of different cutout areas on theimaging surface; and outputting a plurality of sets of display images,each set of the plurality of sets of display images representing a scenecorresponding to the single cutout area stored in the storage; whereinthe sets of display images, corresponding to the cutout areas, areoutputted on a monitor device in continual repetitive sequential orderat a predetermined time interval.
 24. A monitoring method with amonitoring camera according to claim 23, wherein each of the pluralityof cutout areas is assigned an unique identification number; and thesets of display images, corresponding to the cutout areas, are output onthe monitor device in continual repetitive sequential order of theidentification numbers assigned to the cutout areas at a predeterminedtime interval.
 25. A monitoring method with a monitoring cameraaccording to claim 23, further comprising: setting the predeterminedtime interval in accordance with a user input.
 26. A monitoring methodwith a monitoring camera according to claim 23, further comprising:switching monitoring mode from a first mode in which the image data isoutput on the monitor device to a second mode in which the sets ofdisplay images is output on the monitor device in accordance with inputreceived from a user.
 27. A monitoring method with a monitoring cameraaccording to claim 23, wherein the image data is taken by the singlemonitoring camera having the imaging surface.
 28. A monitoring system,comprising: a camera capturing video of an area; a processor whichseparates the area of the captured video into a plurality of cutoutareas in accordance with input received from a user, each of the cutoutareas having a different positon in the area of the captured video andbeing smaller than the area of the captured video; and an outputterwhich outputs a cutout video on a monitor device, the cutout videocorresponding to one of the plurality of cutout areas; wherein thecutout area, outputted on the monitor device as the cutout video, isrepetitively switched at a predetermined time interval among theplurality of cutout areas.
 29. A monitoring system according to claim28, the outputter switches monitoring mode from a first mode in whichthe original video is output on the monitor device to a second mode inwhich the cutout video is output on the monitor device in accordancewith input received from a user.
 30. A monitoring system according toclaim 29, wherein each of the plurality of cutout areas is selected inaccordance with input received from a user.